The Executive Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, has said emphatically that he will strive vehemently to leave no stone unturned in completing the North-Ukelle Road network that has been both a social and economic albatross to the people of North-Ukelle in Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State.
The Governor made the firm remark while meeting with the political stakeholders of the area ably led by Rt. Hon. Ogana Lukpata.
He said that Ukelle Nation occupies a very special place in his heart and felt so sad that the people are heavily plagued by the unending burden and dilemma of impassable roads and lack of proper feeder roads to even their farmlands in spite of the people’s large scale contributions on the political landscape of Cross River State.
His Excellency, Governor Otu noted that from studies and observations, Ukelle Nation is one of the food baskets of not only Cross River State but also of the Nation and determinedly assured the people of his preparedness to put an end to the very persistent cry of Ukelle people regarding the road.
Governor Bassey Otu noted further that Ukelle people cannot make the requisite progress if they keep lamenting in perpetuity as it is very obvious that they have very good and cogent reasons to complain. He said that every problem has a solution that comes in form of a cure and he has decided against all odds to become that solution provider.
He reiterated that he is not making the promises because he has billions stocked up somewhere but because he truly believes that he has come to bridge that yawning gap existing among the people that has made them feel very oppressed, marginalized and choked up for several unending decades, resulting in the average Ukelle Citizen feeling alienated in the scheme of things.
Governor Bassey Otu stated unapologetically that he has come to serve his people and emphasized that he would make indelible history by using the Ukelle Road as a benchmark.
With regards to the disturbing conspiracy theories that played out during the elections, the State helmsman reiterated also that he has decided to handle the issues in his own way not because he will tolerate any kind of misbehaviour or impunity in his dispensation but rather because he is determined to change the ugly narratives.
He told the stakeholders that Cross River State is the only State that the people have and as such, anyone who attempts to thwart the process of governance will be invariably chased out with a wide distance of 300 kilometers away from the State.
He re-emphasized that his administration has only One Mantra approach – the People First philosophy, adding that no distractions will be tolerated from any quarters.
In his remarks at the occasion, Rt. Hon. Ogana Lukpata, who doubled as the leader of the Ukelle delegation expressed copious thanks to Governor Bassey Edet Otu for placing Ukelle people and nation at the forefront in spite of his very crowded schedules, adding that Ukelle Nation will continue to give the Governor their undiluted and unwavering support every step of the way. He said that the entire people of Ukelle heartily identifies and congratulate Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu on his victory at the polls and his subsequent assumption of office as Governor of Cross River State.
Also speaking, a prominent son of Ukelle, Prof Michael Okom, who delivered a thought provoking speech on behalf of the Ukelle Delegation, said that he has never been in doubt as to how passionate Governor Bassey Edet Otu feels about the Ukelle people, reiterating further that he feels very lucky to be associated with such a noble man.
In a vote of thanks rendered by Dr. Julius Okputu, he commended the Governor for being a true change agent.
Dr. Okputu noted regrettably, that the issues of anti-party activities were a colossal setback in the entire Cross River Northern political spectrum but the Ukelle Nation was, at the end of the day, heaped with so much blame, attacks and unwarranted Media Trials. He thanked and commended Governor Otu for being a true leader and for understanding the political intrigues that played out during the elections. He finally noted that from the way in which Ukelle Nation came under undue scrutiny, alot of Ukelle prominent political figures would have been unjustly retired from politics.